Nick Mwendwa opens FKF offices, resumes duties after 11 months

FKF President Nick Mwendwa during the reopening of the FKF offices at the FIFA goal project in Kasarani on September 20, 2022 (Kelly Ayodi, Standard)

Ousted Football Kenya Federation President Nick Mwendwa has promised a comeback of international football after resuming his duties on Tuesday at the Goal Project, Kandanda House at Kasarani.

The troubled President led FKF Vice President Doris Petra, Secretary General Barry Otieno FKF's Head of Integrity Michael Kamure among others to the facility which had been locked for nearly a year.

Mwendwa said he is back in charge and ready to lead again.

Mwendwa was hounded out of office on November 11, 2021, by Sports CS Amina Mohamed after an audit of the federation's accounts alleged misuse of funds.

Last year Sports Cabinet Secretary Amina Mohamed disbanded the Federation, and the ousted officials were barred from accessing it.

Mwendwa was forcefully removed from office on November 11, last year, by Sports CS Amina Mohamed after an audit of the federation's accounts revealed alleged misuse of funds.

This led to FIFA suspending Kenya from international football which affected the nation's local clubs, national football teams and referees. The country is serving a suspension imposed by Fifa on February 24 for government interference.

Fifa's conditions before lifting the suspension were for the government to return the running of the sport to FKF and for the Goal Project offices to be reopened.

In a letter dated September 8, written to the World football governing body Fifa President Gianni Infantino, Mwendwa said he resumed his duties following the withdrawal of corruption charges raised against him by the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP).

"Reference is made to my letter dated November 29, 2021, with regard to the interim transfer of my powers and responsibilities as FKF President to the FKF Vice president."

"In this regard, following the withdrawal of charges by the Director of Public Prosecution on July 8, 2022, I hereby wish to inform your good office that I have resumed my duties as the FKF president, with immediate effect, in accordance with Article 42 of the FKF constitution (2017)," said Mwendwa in the letter.

FKF officials led by Nick Mwendwa during the reopening of the FKF offices at the FIFA goal project in Kasarani on September 20, 2022 (Kelly Ayodi, Standard)

His resumption of office was one of the conditions FIFA set prior to lifting the ban it imposed on Kenya.

'We will move very fast. Starting tomorrow we have a series of meetings. On Friday, we will hold an NEC meeting which we shall communicate to FIFA and within days we expect the Kenya ban to be lifted,'' said Mwendwa.